Single unit direct transfer mascara applicator/container device

ABSTRACT

A single unit direct transfer mascara applicator/container for a pastry cosmetic product, notably mascara, whereby the eyelashes are dipped directly into the mascara containing reservoir which is an integral part of the applicator. The applicator can be a plurality of closely spaced slits which are openings giving direct access to the reservoir.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates to an applicator/container for a pastrycosmetic product, notably mascara.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Description of Proir Art

[0002] The invention relates to a single unit direct transfer mascaraapplicator/container for a pastry cosmetic product notably mascara.

[0003] Different methods of applying mascara to the eyelashes have beenpreviously described. The use of a screw-like device to apply mascara ina roll-on manner is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,254. The use of abrush is also a common method to apply mascara as noted in FR 2,701,197,U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,385 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,004. An inconvenience ofthese methods is that it is necessary to have a separate mascarareservoir and wiper to load the applicator and then to remove excessmascara from the exterior of the applicator. This is inconvenient forthe user and also necessitates two or more separately manufacturedpieces. A brush application is also not the optimum manner to depositmascara onto the eyelashes because it is necessary to use many strokesto apply a suitable quantity of mascara. A combination brush/screwapplicator is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,908,676.

[0004] Two component non-brush/screw applicators have also beenpreviously reported. U.S. Pat. No. 4,744,377 describes a two componentreservoir and hollow tube applicator—the inconvenience being that themascara needs to be loaded into the hollow tube by dipping prior toapplication and also the applicator needs to be wiped free of excessmascara before application. U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,639 describe a comb-likeapplicator, which is loaded by dipping into a reservoir.

[0005] Previous disclosures have attempted to remedy the foregoingdiscussed problems using various devices to transfer mascara between thereservoir and the applicator. WO/9817143 and FR 2,769,808 describeapplicators whereby the mascara is loaded from a reservoir to theapplicator via means of a hollow stem. This type of application islimited by the ability of the mascara to be transferred from thereservoir to the applicator and thus favoring a low viscosity mascarawhich is not consumer acceptable because it will not yield a high volumeof mascara on the lashes. U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,233 is related to theapplicators described above except that the cosmetic pastry is loadedvia a tube with a rotating spiral conveyor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,826describe an eyelash curling applicator whereby the mascara is pumped tothe applicator. U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,254 describes a screw typeapplicator wherein the applicator is loaded with a liquid mascara usingcapillary action.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,007,245 discusses a direct transfer stick toeyelash mascara applicator whereby the mascara is in a solid form. Solidmascara would not be acceptable as the quantity of mascara depositedwould be greatly inferior to that of a pastry form.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Traditional mascara uses a dip-in applicator to transfer mascarafrom the reservoir to the lashes. The ideal volumizing mascara is onethat places a large quantity of mascara on the lashes in one or a fewstrokes without clumping the lashes together. The method of achievingthis is to load the mascara applicator with as much mascara as possible.This load of mascara must not be on the outside of the mascaraapplicator, it must be on the inside, near the shaft, thus allowing thebristles to separate the lashes after the mascara has been deposited.The traditional method is to use an applicator to transfer the mascarafrom the reservoir to the lashes. A person skilled in the art knows thatan increased quantity of mascara on the applicator results in moremascara deposited on the lashes. A dip-in applicator limits the amountof mascara that can be deposited on the lashes. The limitation is theapplicator. This invention describes a system to apply mascara without adip-in applicator. A better method, as described herein, is to load thelashes directly by submersing them into the mascara reservoir, and thenuse a device to separate the lashes after the mascara has been depositedThis results in a significant increase in quantity and a homogeneousdeposit of mascara on the eyelashes. The result is nearly ideal—in termsof packaging which plays a major role in mascara—compared to the amountof mascara that can be deposited on the lashes in one or mores strokeusing a brush or screw applicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the preferred embodiment of the invention.FIG. 3 depicts a single unit direct transfer mascaraapplicator/container in an open configuration

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0009]11—reservoir

[0010]12—apertures/slits of preferred embodiment

[0011]13—elements

[0012]14—apertures/slits of alternative embodiment

[0013]15—locating where applicator is gripped by the user

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A single unit direct transfer mascara applicator/container isdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The applicator/container is designed to begripped by the user by the unit (15). The mascara is stored in thereservoir (11) which, as depicted in the figure, is an integral part ofthe entire applicator system. The applicator is brought to the eyes bythe consumer with the apertures/slits (12) approaching the eyelashes ina parallel manner. The eyelashes are inserted between the elements (13)forming the aperture/slits. This allows for the eyelashes to dip intothe mascara reservoir (11) and to be loaded with a maximum quantity ofmascara. The eyelashes are then batted into the reservoir several ormore times and are then removed through the aperture/slits (12). Theaperture/slits serve to separate the eyelashes while leaving a maximumquantity of mascara deposited on the eyelashes. The form of the elementswhich configure the aperture/slits can be of many different shapes. Forexample, and not limiting the scope of this invention, in a preferredembodiment of the invention the elements take the form of closely spacedparallel oval or perfect rings (13). In other embodiments of thisinvention the elements can be either non-concentric or non-parallel orboth non-concentric and non-parallel. In a further preferred embodimentthe elements can be closely spaced parallel oval or perfect ringscomposed of tubular bristles or loops.

[0015]FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of the invention where the pluralityof closely spaced elements which configure the aperture/slits (14) arenot fully closed.

[0016] Not wishing to limit the scope of the invention, it is noted thatthe width of the aperture/slits can be between 0.1 and 10 mm in width,more preferred 0.1 and 7 mm and the most preferred configuration isbetween 0.1 and 5 mm in width

[0017] An advantage of this invention with respect to the prior art isthat this single unit direct transfer mascara applicator/container canbe manufactured by a single injection mold process. This allows forconsiderable ease of manufacturing and economic savings compared tomultiple component systems. Prior art mascara applicators aremulti-piece typically consisting of at least a separate reservoir,wiper, cap, stem and brush or screw. This invention allows for areduction in the quantity of molded manufactured parts.

[0018] A further improvement of this invention with respect to prior artis that the quantity of mascara deposited on the eyelashes issignificantly greater than the quantity deposited by a traditionalmascara brush or screw applicators. This is due to the fact that theeyelashes are in direct contact with the mascara reservoir thus allowingfor unimpeded transfer from the reservoir directly to the eyelash

[0019] Another useful advantage to this invention is that two differentcolors of mascara can be applied with the same brush. This can beachieved by dividing the reservoir wise and filling each said part ofthe reservoir with two different colors of mascara. This cannot beachieved with any of the prior art references.

[0020] The foregoing should be taken as merely illustrative of thepresent invention rather than limiting thereof. The scope of protectionthat is sought is set forth in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A single unit direct transfer mascaraapplicator/container which permits the eyelashes to be dipped directlyinto a mascara containing reservoir (FIGS. 1-11), which is an integralpart the applicator, thus loading eyelashes with mascara, and which thenseparates lashes using a plurality of elements (FIGS. 1-13) whichconfigure closely spaced apertures or slits (FIGS. 1-12).
 2. A mascaraapplicator according to claim 1 wherein the applicator/reservoir isconfigured in a curved form to allow for easy approach to eyelashes andthus the elements are configured in a parallel but not concentricmanner.
 3. A mascara applicator according to claim 1 wherein theplurality of elements which configure closely spaced slits are formed byconcentric parallel oval or perfect rings.
 4. A mascara applicatoraccording to claim 3 wherein the plurality of elements which configureclosely spaced parallel oval or perfect rings are tubular bristles orloops (FIGS. 1-13).
 5. A mascara applicator according to claim 1 whereinthe width of the aperture or slits (FIGS. 1-12) is between 0.1 mm and 10mm.
 6. A mascara applicator according to claim 1 wherein the elementswhich configure the plurality of elements which configure the closelyspaced apertures or slits are not closed (FIGS. 3-14).
 7. A single unitdirect transfer mascara applicator/container which permits eyelashes tobe dipped directly into a mascara containing reservoir (FIGS. 1-11),which is an integral part the applicator, thus loading eyelashes withmascara, and which then separates lashes using a plurality elements(FIGS. 1-13) which configure closely spaced apertures or slits (FIGS.1-12) and which is manufactured as a single injection-molded article. 8.A method for applying mascara to eyelashes using a single unit directtransfer mascara/containing which permits the eyelashes dipped directlyinto a mascara containing reservoir (FIGS. 1-11), which is an integralapplicator, thus loading eyelashes with mascara and which the separateslashes using a plurality of elements (FIGS. 1-13) which configuresclosely spaced apertures or slits (FIGS. 1-12).